Star Promise by G. J. Walker-Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

scolded. “I hate it.”
    “I know, my love,” he replied sympathetically. “I advise you not to eat any more of it.”
    Bridget was unimpressed by the notion of being an accessory after the fact. She turned to Adam and asked to be excused.
    “Of course,” he replied, helping her off her chair. “Go play.” She took off in a hurry.
    “And then there were three,” announced Jean-Luc, refilling my wineglass.
    “Technically four,” corrected Adam, giving Treasure a poke.
    Jean-Luc laughed. “When I suggested that Bridget find some real friends, that’s not quite what I meant.”
    I frowned across the table at Adam, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. The silent plea for an explanation didn’t go unnoticed – nothing gets past the king. “Is everything alright?”
    “We’ve enrolled Bridget in dance classes,” replied Adam, refusing to look at me.
    “That’s wonderful news,” he approved. “She’ll learn discipline and dedication.”
    I rolled my wineglass between my fingers, fighting the urge to snap it off at the stem. “I thought it was about making friends,” I reminded him. “That was the instruction, wasn’t it?”
    Adam muttered my name weakly. I ignored him, keeping my focus on the king.
    “Instruction?” asked Jean-Luc.
    “Yes,” I replied.
    “I give no instruction where my granddaughter is concerned,” he replied. “I merely spoke with her father and suggested that you consider broadening her horizons.”
    “When?” I snapped.
    He frowned. “As soon as possible.”
    “No,” I clarified, “when did you discuss it with her father?”
    “We spoke yesterday, Charlotte,” admitted Adam.
    I took a long moment to think things through. Bridget grew faster than we did, and push often came to shove when it came to moving to the next level. I just resented it when the shove came from the king. I wanted her to explore new things, find friends and be happy. We all did. It’s what made this family so special.
    I looked at Adam and quickly let him off the hook. “I’m not mad at you,” I assured him. “I want to be, but I’m not.”
    It was important that we leave it at that. Adam knew it too, which is probably why he didn’t reply. There wasn’t opportunity to continue the conversation anyway. Fiona reappeared with a huge dish of mustard, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw the king’s empty plate.
    “I’m sorry, Fi,” he said regretfully. “I couldn’t wait. It was just too good.”
    Her confused look gave way to a smile. “Never mind, darling.” She picked up his plate. “I’ll get you some more.”

8. JUVIE
Adam
    Love must be invisible. No one ever sees it coming. It sneaks up behind you, bashes you over the head and leaves you in a state of stunned confusion for the rest of your life.
    Ryan was its latest victim. After years of dodging anything more meaningful than a quick roll in the hay, he’d been bashed over the head by love.
    I still couldn’t quite believe the news that he’d moved Bente in, but Charli swore she’d heard it from Bente herself.
    I was staying out of it on the off-chance that my mother didn’t know. In my experience, clueless was the best position to be in when drama took hold, and there was no greater drama than having a woman lay claim to one of her sons.
    Part of me envied him. For Ryan, everything was exciting and brand new. Walking into my office that morning was a reminder that I had nothing exciting or new going on. I was stuck in the monotony of a nine to five job that I was slowly growing to hate.
    Mercifully, I was always busy. Once I stepped out of the elevator I didn’t have time to dwell. I got on with what I needed to do, then went home to my girls.
    Very occasionally, I’d catch a break, but never from my father, so it was hard to hide my surprise when he walked into my office and told me I needed to go home.
    “Mrs Brown is feeling unwell,” he explained. “You’re needed at home.”
    I closed my laptop. “Why didn’t